Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.
Napoleon Hill
Rewind about two and a half weeks. I am returning from a short but leisurely trip in Bermuda, Hobbs had the weekend off and I went up to have a little quiet ride. We did just that and had a really productive flat, worked on myself and just let him deal with my body becoming stronger. So, the day after I get a text that little Hobbit is three legged lame and has been brought inside for a little rest and it will be looked at later.
Okay...I'm at work...this is okay...
But secretly I'm freaking out! This isn't what I need, I had literally had him for about 15 days and we're already into some trouble, my main 'why I shouldn't get a horse list' consisted of: They become randomly lame, and it sucks, and everyone hates it, and sometime you can't figure out what it is, and it's costly. But, after rationalizing that that was okay, and that if that's really the only reason for me to not chase my dreams then that's crazy! Except when you get that text and your horse is lame. Not crazy. It sucks.
First we thought abscess since the sudden onset very lame horse. Treated for an abscess for a couple days, then the vet was coming out to do some shots (perfect timing!) he had a look and said bad thrush. So, I was giving a slew of instructions and some expensive medication and worked on treating the thrush. Then, the farrier was due to come (perfect timing!) and he said it wasn't thrush. I personally had a really busy work week the second week of treatment so I had left the barn staff to it, and when I returned a couple days later, he was sound, but hadn't used the vets medication, but who cared at that point, he was sound!
We went on a couple really great hand walks with the dogs and I'm sure passers by thought it was really strange to see a girl walking two dogs and a horse down a country road but really...anything can happen in the country. We've seen it all! Now I'm just being what the country truly wants me to be!
We had a great hack the other day, it was so sunny and peaceful, a great day to return to riding. Now, Canada has finally been blessed with Spring...well more like Summer weather but we're not complaining! Now, back to the drawing board as far as riding goes as we're a bit back at square one.
Okay...I'm at work...this is okay...
But secretly I'm freaking out! This isn't what I need, I had literally had him for about 15 days and we're already into some trouble, my main 'why I shouldn't get a horse list' consisted of: They become randomly lame, and it sucks, and everyone hates it, and sometime you can't figure out what it is, and it's costly. But, after rationalizing that that was okay, and that if that's really the only reason for me to not chase my dreams then that's crazy! Except when you get that text and your horse is lame. Not crazy. It sucks.
First we thought abscess since the sudden onset very lame horse. Treated for an abscess for a couple days, then the vet was coming out to do some shots (perfect timing!) he had a look and said bad thrush. So, I was giving a slew of instructions and some expensive medication and worked on treating the thrush. Then, the farrier was due to come (perfect timing!) and he said it wasn't thrush. I personally had a really busy work week the second week of treatment so I had left the barn staff to it, and when I returned a couple days later, he was sound, but hadn't used the vets medication, but who cared at that point, he was sound!
We went on a couple really great hand walks with the dogs and I'm sure passers by thought it was really strange to see a girl walking two dogs and a horse down a country road but really...anything can happen in the country. We've seen it all! Now I'm just being what the country truly wants me to be!
We had a great hack the other day, it was so sunny and peaceful, a great day to return to riding. Now, Canada has finally been blessed with Spring...well more like Summer weather but we're not complaining! Now, back to the drawing board as far as riding goes as we're a bit back at square one.
So now that we've got a sound and happy horse, we've got a couple of things to continue working on.
J & H
- Doing a little more hill work as I can tell he is very weak in the hind end while I was doing canter work before he went off. He wasn't able to keep his hind end all together while on a large circle, so lots of slow walking up hills during the week.
- Straightness and forwardness in our flat work, creating a free and happy atmosphere for Hobbs and I.
- Leaving my worries in the barn, and entering each ride with a cool mind and an open book of ideas.
J & H